Feel your best from the inside out

Have you ever heard the phrase “Beauty is only skin deep”? Most likely so. Whether or not you subscribe to this old adage or not, the economy would suggest that many people certainly do. According to market research firm Zion, the global cosmetics industry was valued at $532 billion in 2017 and will grow to $863 billion in 2024. Canny advertisers are bombarding us with ads that are now intelligently tailored to us based on our social media and internet browsing habits and designed to follow us around 24/7 until we push the buy button. And given the expected expansion of the cosmetics market, we’re going to keep giving in increasingly often. But why cover up when you can create beauty from within?

Drink more water

While there are certainly things we can put on our skin to improve its appearance, there are also ways to restore a wellspring of vitality from the body’s groundwater – the very cells that form the basis of life itself. One way to do this without having to fork over $150 for a tiny jar of La Mer or whatever face cream is currently a hot commodity at mall makeup counters is to improve our diet. Nutrition and hydration aren’t just about fueling performance and recovery – they’re foundational for every process in the body. This includes the disposal of old skin cells and creation of new ones, and the circulation of oxygenated blood to the skin and tissues beneath it.

The first and easiest step to take in improving the “glow” of your skin is to simply drink more water. You don’t need to go crazy and buy into the “gallon a day” fad or anything like that, but rather just increase your current water intake by one or two glasses a day. If it’s before, during, or after exercise, consider adding a pinch of Himalayan sea salt or crumbling in a little Swedish Falksalt, as this will get the osmolality to an optimal level for quick absorption (for more on this, see the book The Salt Fix). You can also boost your cellular hydration level by eating plenty of fruit and vegetables, particularly watery ones like peppers, strawberries, and the aptly-named watermelon.

Move

So that your skin is getting adequate blood flow and your lymphatic system is pumping out any junk that builds up, make sure you’re moving enough. In his book The Blue Zones, Dan Buettner shares that one of the commonalities among societies that live the longest and have the greatest vitality is that they all walk several miles a day outside. So yes, your yoga class and weekend skiing trips are good, but try also adding a daily walk and making sure you don’t stay stuck at your desk for hours at a time (keep an eye out for more on this in a forthcoming co-post with our friends at FluidStance).

Supplements 

Another way to improve your skin health is to add a supplement into your daily ritual that contains beneficial botanicals. Not to brag, but HANAH ONE fits the bill nicely, thanks to some of its potent core ingredients, all of which we wild harvest from sustainable and pure sources in India and combine in a proprietary blend of 30 botanicals formulated to increase bioavailability and uptake.

• Policosanol: A mixture of alcohols derived from sugar cane, it can benefit the appearance of your skin by improving circulation (not to mention the fact that it also breaks down LDL or “bad” cholesterol). 
• Amalaki: It’s often included in natural skin creams and shampoos because of its high antioxidant content that protects the body from oxidative stress, anti-inflammatory properties, and ability to make your skin appear shiny and smooth. A study published in The Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine also found that participants who took an amalaki supplement increased their telomerase activity, a key measure of cellular health. 
• Oroxylum: Eastern cultures have used topically for centuries to treat a wide variety of skin conditions. This is due to its anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory flavonoids, including chrysin and baicalein. 
• Bael (aka wood apple) is another of HANAH ONE’s skin health-boosting ingredients and is utilized in India to treat dermatitis and red, splotchy outbreaks. 
• Punarnava, which has long been used to speed wound healing, ease itching, and reduce skin inflammation. 

 So from now on when you’re thinking about skin care, don’t just consider the products on your bathroom counter, but also those in your pantry. When taken as part of a well-balanced diet that includes plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables and adequate hydration, a supplement like HANAH ONE can help give you that healthy glow you’re after from the inside out.

Check out these other similar blog posts:

• Beauty from the inside out—how ashwagandha and ghee boost your glow
• HANAH Hero and world traveler Bibi McGill shares 5 easy tips for staying healthy
• The key to optimal nutrient absorption: the Ayurvedic catalysts of HANAH ONE